🔗 Share this article

Bolsonaro has been arrested after authorities concluded he posed a concrete flight risk while under domestic detention.

The former head of state was convicted of orchestrating a government overthrow in last fall and handed more than 27 years in jail, but he continued under home detention pending legal challenges.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a preventative measure after "new facts" were revealed.

This included attempting to break his ankle monitor and a summons to a supporters' gathering that could facilitate a possible escape.

Judicial Records Show Escape Risks

In a document approving the custody, the judge said intelligence from the centre monitoring Bolsonaro's house arrest suggested the one-time head of state's aim to disable the surveillance device to guarantee victory in his escape.

This, it said, would be "facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son.

His offspring, Flávio Bolsonaro, who holds office as a legislator, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday evening.

His son wrote on online platforms on the previous day: Will you battle for your country, or watch it all from your smartphone there on your sofa? I call on you to fight with us."

He said the demonstration would be so supporters could "pray for his well-being and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."

Embassy Asylum Concerns

Part of the magistrate's determination was the possibility of Bolsonaro's move to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a record of arranging to request asylum through a embassy office", a announcement said.

The legal document underscores that the US embassy in the capital, the capital city, is situated around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.

Worldwide Consequences

Bolsonaro's legal woes have generated frustration from fellow conservative nationalist US President President Trump, leading him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods.

He is being detained in a Federal Police station in the capital and will undergo a detention review on the next day.

Recent Judicial Appeals

It was only on the previous day that the ex-leader's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to allow him to serve his whole jail sentence under home confinement, with electronic monitoring.

They also petitioned that Bolsonaro be permitted to exit his dwelling for medical care, saying he required regular treatment for lung conditions and other illnesses.

Background on Conviction

Bolsonaro was determined responsible of leading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he lost the presidential race to his left-wing rival, Lula.

Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a plan which included plans to assassinate Lula and his running partner, his vice-presidential candidate, and to imprison and murder Justice Moraes - the High Court judge who has been presiding over his judicial proceedings.

The plot was stopped because it didn't receive the backing of the armed forces officials. His successor was sworn in without problem on the first day of 2023.

But a seven days after, on January 8th, many his followers attacked and damaged public facilities in the national capital, Brazil's capital.

The security forces stepped in and around fifteen hundred individuals were arrested.

The magistrates found that the protesters had been provoked by him whose plan, they said, was for the national armed forces to take action, reestablish control and reinstate his authority.

At the moment, Bolsonaro's lawyers called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.

He was also prohibited from seeking elected position until the year 2060 - eight years after the completion of his term.

The one-time head of state called the court case a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him running in the 2026 presidential election.